The Cross of Nances and the Bois d'Enfer

A lovely walk from the charming village of Moyrazes, which overlooks the Aveyron valley and its magnificent panoramic views.

Details

618216
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 388 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 387 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 722 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 472 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at Place Saint-Médard in the centre of the village.
Yellow markings +GR®62B.

(S/E) From the square, walk past the fountain and then the post office and follow Rue des Fosses to the left. At the bottom of the street, turn right then left and head towards Place de la Bourse.

(1) At the end of the square, continue along the path (forest path des Ases) and the D57 (Route de Rodez) for a few dozen metres.

(2) Take the path on the left that leads to Château le Cayla (signposted "cent vallées n°27").

(3) Before the château, turn left, pass in front of the Courset farm through the woods and climb up to the Croix de Nances.

(4) Go back a few metres and turn left, descending to the Nances rock (viewpoint over Saint-Clément and the Aveyron valley). Continue towards Le Castanié.

(5) Cross the D626 and the hamlet, then join theGR®62Bby crossing the Bois d'Enfer.

(6) When you reach the D57, follow it to the right for about 600 metres.

(7) At the Soleillagou farm, turn left onto a farm track leading to the Fontanel farm.

(8) Continue until you reach the "Bois d'enfer" sign and follow the path on the right towards "Le Plassous".

(9) From here, there are two options (see shortcut in "Practical information")

Follow the grassy path on the left, which continues through the woods via Chemin des Arménies and leads to the D57.

(10) At the road, take the right-hand hairpin bend, leaving the path completely on your right and the path straight ahead that descends, and take the path opposite that climbs steeply up to the plateau and joins Moyrazes. Follow the same route as on the way out to Place Saint-Médard (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 720 m - Place Saint-Médard
  2. 1 : km 0.27 - alt. 701 m - Bottom of the Place de la Bourse
  3. 2 : km 0.58 - alt. 677 m - On the left, sign for the hundred valleys No. 27
  4. 3 : km 1.57 - alt. 573 m - Cayla Castle
  5. 4 : km 3.33 - alt. 558 m - Nances Cross
  6. 5 : km 4.02 - alt. 503 m - Hamlet of Castanié - Aveyron (rivière)
  7. 6 : km 5.62 - alt. 517 m - Junction with the D57
  8. 7 : km 6.17 - alt. 488 m - Soleillagou farm
  9. 8 : km 7.6 - alt. 577 m - Access to the Fontanel farm
  10. 9 : km 8.65 - alt. 643 m - Alternative
  11. 10 : km 9.65 - alt. 612 m - Path in the bend
  12. S/E : km 10.98 - alt. 721 m - Place Saint-Médard

Notes

Village fountain

Shortcut: On the right, the path joins the D57 and climbs directly back up to Moyrazes via Calzins.

Worth a visit

- 16th-century church with Virgin and Child in the village.
- Cayla Castle (not open to visitors)
- Caumencau Bridge (1458)
- Village of Saint-Clément.
- Viewpoint, wash house, oratory...

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
FrancineR
FrancineR

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, done at the beginning of autumn.
Given the elevation profile, I was worried about my friends, but it went smoothly (we took the road variant at point 9).
Thank you

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Panous12
Panous12

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route, mostly shaded, especially in hot weather. Forest interpretation trail around the 5 km mark. Don't miss the St Clément viewpoint (signposted). No difficulty. Some sections of the route are less well maintained.

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saint armel
saint armel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk, mostly in the forest, nice and warm today...
Completed using the app...
Thank you

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A winning combination: shade and views on this beautiful nature route through chestnut tree country, mainly on paths. A wonderful discovery, thank you.
We enjoyed the morning light on Cayla Castle. A very beautiful walk through the Bois d'Enfer. Between 4 and 5, when the path branches off to the left, don't miss the vertiginous cliff face at the bottom of the valley, opposite St Clément. For those who suffer from vertigo, the site is well secured.
Save your strength for the final climb. You can see the bell tower of Rodez in the distance.
Come back in November/December to see the autumn colours of the forest.

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LuluWhte
LuluWhte

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike. Very well marked. Beautiful views.
I recommend taking a detour to Comencau Bridge, which is a lovely spot for a picnic. It adds about 3 km to the hike, but it's well worth the detour!

Really great, I recommend it.

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claudie chabas
claudie chabas

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The starting point is Place Jean Mazenq, not St Médard.

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2740851
2740851

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

superb, very easy hike
a short section on a very quiet road and the rest in the woods on a wide, well-maintained path
a hike to be recommended.

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Anne12
Anne12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike.

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Didier2012
Didier2012

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

beautiful hike with a superb view of St Clément

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VicMr
VicMr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Being new to hiking and alone, I had trouble finding the starting point. I couldn't see the post office or the fountain. Thank goodness for my phone's GPS 🤷🏼‍♀️ A minor beginner's problem!
The route itself is great, with beautiful views and shade. Lots of forest.

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randovolant
randovolant

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk to do in good weather.

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joselory
joselory

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful and interesting hike

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coala84
coala84

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

quite sporty... not much of a view... it must not be very interesting in rainy weather

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Playmobil
Playmobil

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A route that is both hilly and largely shaded: perfect in summer!

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2367906543
2367906543

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely, easy hike with beautiful, shaded paths and magnificent views
Visit the village of Moyrazes
Whether you go alone or with friends, you won't be disappointed

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